This holiday season for the very first time, the Los Angeles Zoo will change stripes from a daytime adventure to a dazzling winter wonderland known as L.A. Zoo Lights.

(Rendering courtesy Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association)

The event will transform the zoo environment into a series of “awe-inspiring animal escapades,” rendered in led lights, lasers, 3D projections, spectacular sets and interactive displays, zoo representatives said.

It will be open nightly from Friday, Nov. 28, to Sunday, Jan. 4, 6 to 10 pm (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), bringing lights back to Griffith Park for the first time since 2009.

The event is produced and presented by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and made possible with support from Councilmember Tom LaBonge, 4th District.

“Griffith Park is accessible to so many residents of Los Angeles and occupies a special place in the hearts of many,” LaBonge said, adding he wanted to provide Angelenos with a holiday activity to replace the beloved DWP Holiday Light Festival. “L.A. Zoo Lights is a new and different experience that people are going to love and cherish as they get out of their cars and walk through an amazing holiday wonderment with remarkable LED lights.”

There is a self-guided 60-90-minute tour through select areas of the zoo (while the animals themselves are asleep), introducing guests to a troop of animated LED monkeys commandeering an electrical power source hidden in an unusual holiday tree. They swing through the entry plaza to guide an illuminated power line toward a giant electrical outlet, attempting to plug it in. The zoo lights up, and guests follow the monkeys as they encounter an illuminated Reggie the alligator, an origami rhino, singing elephants, and a party of musical pink flamingos fronted by their DJ leader.

Along the way, L.A. Zoo Lights offers the only opportunity in Los Angeles to see real reindeer (the only live animals in the event), lit by elegant chandeliers, plus weekend-only visits with Santa Claus, perched atop a throne seemingly carved from ice, and an ending featuring a red carpet bustling with paparazzi animals.

Other special effects range from 3-D holiday-themed animations projected onto a group of palm trees and a bird who flies to a nest filled with golden disco balls, to freeway-driving animals opening against a backdrop of Los Angeles landmarks and a group of giant bullfrogs made from 3,750 water bottles lit from within.

Among the evening’s sights are giant floating snowflakes, glittering light tunnels, animal cutouts and icicle lights. Steaming hot chocolate and other holiday treats and goodies will be on sale.

Daytime visitors to the zoo can see the reindeer during regular hours, which are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with a flurry of seasonal festivities and yuletide flourishes, plus weekend visits by Santa Claus.

Admission is $13 for adults/seniors and $11 for children ages 2 to 12; tickets for GLAZA members are $12 for adults/seniors and $10 for children ages 2 to 12; children under age two 2 are free. Purchase tickets online to attend during the first two weeks (Nov. 28 to Dec. 11) for the online-only early bird rate of $8 each.